World: Japs and Rain

General Joseph Stilwell's shock columns were still atnot
inMyitkyina. With the prize almost within their grasp, they had
stalled. One reason: the Japanese had quickly improvised a stout
resistance. Another: torrential rains and monsoon winds had blunted the
attack.

Stilwell's Chinese and American infantry reached the outskirts of the
Japanese supply base in north Burma last fortnight after a bitterly
difficult 23-day march. At week's end they still had a firm grip on the
most important airfield in north Burma, two miles to the south, were
attacking from positions north and southwest of the village. The
capture of Myitkyina appeared only a...